Brett Anderson Leaves Game After Just 8 Pitches

Designated opening day pitcher Brett Anderson got the start on Saturday but only lasted eight pitches before leaving the game holding his neck. The team called the injury a strained right trapezius and Anderson just spoke to reporters in the clubhouse, with a stim machine connected to his neck.

Michael Macor/The Chronicle

“It was just kind of a freak play,” he said. “I don’t think it’s anything major.”

With Adam Eaton – who had singled to lead off, at first – Cliff Pennington put the ball in play. It got past Josh Donaldson, who was given an error. Anderson went over to cover third and had the ball and the runner both coming toward him at the same time.

“I got up and my neck just kind of balled up and spasmed,” he said. “You want to be cautious. You don’t want to overcompensate and change your mechanics, and hurt something else. It’s just kind of a precautionary thing.”

Anderson joked that it was “pure athleticism at its finest.” He also said that of his eight pitches, he had one good changeup that Pennington fouled off.

“It’s a funny scenario that he’s the guy that hit the ball,” Anderson said.

Anderson was tagged for two runs, one earned, in the short outing. He was replaced by right-hander Mike Ekstrom.

— Reliever Arnold Leon wasn’t seen in the A’s clubhouse before the game, though Bob Melvin expected Leon to return by Monday at the latest. Leon sparked the huge brawl in the Canada-Mexico World Baseball Classic game when he threw at a Canadian hitter after Canada’s Chris Robinson had led off the inning with a bunt single, despite Canada’s 9-3 lead.

Melvin said he hadn’t seen the benches-clearing fight and couldn’t comment on the incident.

“I would have to see it to comment on it,” Melvin said. “Was it intentional?”

Melvin was assured by reporters that it certainly appeared intentional. Leon threw inside twice to Rene Tosoni, drawing a warning from home plate umpire Brian Gorman. On the next pitch, Leon hit Tosoni on the left shoulder. Television cameras had caught third baseman Luis Cruz apparently encouraging Leon to hit Tosoni.

Leon was ejected from the game, along with three other Mexican players. Mexico was eliminated with the loss, making it a quick experience for Leon, who had only been called into the team last Thursday.

— Melvin said that Yoenis Cespedes left for Miami on Saturday night and is expected back with the team either Monday or Tuesday. Cespedes went to greet his family members – 14 in all, including his mother, aunts and cousins – who have been allowed to immigrate to the United States.

Melvin thinks the development will be a huge relief for Cespedes.

“I know there were times last year where he was grinding on it pretty hard and for good reason,” Melvin said. “It’s a weight off his shoulders and something he doesn’t have to think about, whereas last year he was constantly thinking about it.”

Melvin said Saturday was a very emotional day for Cespeds.

“Tears and then big smiles,” he said.

— Jemile Weeks was not in the lineup Sunday. Melvin described the second baseman as still day to day, with a bone bruise in his right shoulder.

— Team chaplain Donnie Moore made his annual presentation in the A’s clubhouse, where he combined motivational, positive messages with feats of strength. He and his partner tore phonebooks in half, broke bricks with their hands and rolled up a stainless steel frying pan like a burrito. They also broke baseball bats over their legs but that doesn’t make them special: A’s hitting coach Chili Davis used to do that all the time when he struck out.